New York Mets in no rush to name the fifth starter

Doug Benc/Getty ImagesJonathan Niese pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a Spring Training game. Niese could be named the fifth starter for the Mets next Tuesday.

PHILADELPHIA -- When John Maine went on the 15-day disabled list Monday, it didn't just rob the rotation of a proven pitcher. Now the Mets will have to scramble to fill those starts.

With a day off tomorrow, the Mets don't need a fifth starter until next Tuesday against the Brewers in Milwaukee. It's widely believed that could be left-hander Jonathan Niese from Triple-A New Orleans. The 21-year-old Niese, who is the Mets' top pitching prospect, is 5-1 with a 3.65 ERA in six starts with the Zephyrs.

Because of the makeup of the pitchers, the Mets can't sustain a four-man rotation. Last night's starter, Pedro Martinez, needs regular rest, and ace Johan Santana prefers it. There is also the issue with Mike Pelfrey, who has already surpassed his innings total from 2007.

Interim manager Jerry Manuel is on record saying teams have only limited opportunities at championships, and that the Mets should do everything to go for it now. That means throwing Pelfrey on regular rest, despite injury problems incurred by some young pitchers who go well beyond their maximum inning totals the previous season.

The other benefit that comes from waiting until Tuesday is that the Mets can bring a player up without having to make a corresponding move. That's because the rosters expand to 40 in September.

A person familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity because the plans are not yet finalized, said the Mets were in discussions with the Boston Red Sox about playing two exhibition games at Citi Field at the end of next year's spring training and before the opening of the regular season.

Instant replay begins Thursday, and although the Mets have a day off, most are ecstatic to see the idea come to fruition. David Wright said he could see "no negative" from replay. Manuel, who has been thrown out five times this season -- including four as the manager -- said replay is a necessity with the way modern ballparks are designed.

"I think the ballparks now are made as such that it's difficult to identify whether it's a home run or not," Manuel said. "It's a big swing in the game. If you can identify it, you've got to get that right."

Just don't expect Manuel to stop arguing with umpires.

"I'll do the same thing I do: I'll look at it and then go argue," Manuel said with a laugh.

Officials from Major League Baseball had already installed the locked monitor at Citizens Bank Park, where umpires can watch a monitor and patch into a secure phone line to the "war room" in New York City.

Marlon Anderson is in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he'll rehab his injured hamstring and play in simulated games, according to Manuel. The Mets will take advantage of the September call-up situation to bring up Anderson, who has not played since Aug. 1. 